AP lays foundation for ReNew’s Rs 5,400 crore solar wafer plant

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for ReNew’s solar ingot and wafer manufacturing facility at Rambilli in Anakapalli district. The Rs 5,400 crore project is aimed at strengthening domestic solar manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports of upstream components.

The facility, described as a 6.5 GW ingot and wafer plant, will manufacture key upstream solar components and is expected to be commissioned within 24 months. Promoted by Sumanth Sinha, the project is expected to generate over 2,100 direct and indirect jobs.

Outlining the state’s renewable energy roadmap, Naidu said Andhra Pradesh plans to contribute 160 GW toward India’s 500 GW renewable energy target by 2030. This expansion is expected to attract investments of up to Rs 10 lakh crore and generate 7.5 lakh jobs. The state has already executed agreements for 90 GW of renewable energy capacity.

ReNew has committed a total investment of Rs 82,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh. The company is set to begin projects worth Rs 10,370 crore in Anantapur and Kurnool districts and will also develop a 777 MW wind-solar hybrid project in Anantapur.

The state is also focusing on distributed generation. Naidu announced a target of installing rooftop solar systems across 40 lakh households to reduce transmission losses and decentralise power supply.

In the transport sector, the government plans to transition all Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) buses to electric vehicles. To support this, 5,000 electric vehicle charging stations will be deployed across the state over the next three years.

Naidu added that 802 investment agreements signed over the past 22 months are expected to generate 24 lakh jobs. He also reiterated the government’s position on maintaining stable power tariffs to support industrial growth and consumer interests.

Photo credit: @ncbn/X